If law says Maier can't serve as sheriff, there's another job he can do

Regarding the Dec. 15 editorial, "Months of turmoil may lie ahead": With all the hoopla surrounding the Stark County Sheriff's Office, I began to see some parallels with respect to the office of president of the United States.

Both the sheriff and president are important law enforcement officers. Politics cannot be removed from anyone seeking these offices. There are myriad routine and complicated administrative duties and decisions associated with each office. The sheriff is in charge of highly trained armed officers, while the president is in charge of the nation's military.

Neither office requires a specific professional degree, e.g., doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher, or a trade credential such as electrician or plumber. Obviously, a law enforcement, administrative background and-or college degree would be useful.

So then, I wondered, why for more than 200 years have there been only these three requirements to be president?

• At least 35 years of age

• Natural-born citizen

• Lived in the United States for 14 years

The Ohio Supreme Court recently made a complicated decision saying that George T. Maier did not meet the qualifications for sheriff. I do not recall the court stating how the deficiencies could be corrected. Keep in mind that this is the same court that declared school funding in Ohio to be unconstitutional, yet nobody — neither the governor nor the General Assembly — obeyed this decision.

The credentials for sheriff need to be clarified, broadened and made more inclusive and realistic. Education requirements and experience need to be clearly stated.

One thing is for certain: Maybe Maier initially did not meet the qualifications for sheriff of Stark County, but he certainly would meet the requirements for the office of president of the United States.